The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-29
LABOR'S CONSTITUTION.
THE KNIGHTS VOTE IN FAVOR OF
THE NEW RULES.

Ihree-QuarterS of the Vote Polled
in Favor of the Change-Half of the
Negative Vote Cast by Germans Who
Opposed the Anti-Liquor Clause.
PHILADELPHIA, June 2S.-By returns
made to the general headquarters of the
Knights of Labor this morning the new
constitution of the order, embodying many
important changes, has been adopted by at
least three-fourths vote. The clause pro-
viding for the formation of national trade
assemblies, sent out separately from the
constitution and voted upon by the local as
semblies throughout the order, has also been
adopted by nearly the same vote. The
new constitution will be promulgated by the
General Executive Board in very few
days and will go into effect Immediately
after its PRONUNCIATION.
THE PROHIBITION CLAUSE.
An analysis of the vote shows that nearly
one-half of the local assemblies that opposed
the adoption of the new constitution did so
on account of section 325, which reads: "No
local or other assembly or member shall di-
rectly or indirectly give, sell or have any
ale, beer or intoxicating liquors Of
any kind at any meeting, party,
sociable, ball, picnic or entertainment
whatever appertaining to the order. Any
member found guilty cf violating this law
shall be suspended for not less than six
months or expelled No fine shall be inn
posed for this offense. Any local or other
assembly so offending shall be suspended
during the pleasure Of the General 'Execu-
tive Board, or shall have its charter revoked
by said board" Nearly every assembly
composed solely of Germans, voted against
this clause and therefore against the whole.
A COOPERATION FUND.
The article on cooperation was adopted
unanimously. 1t is quite lengthy and pro
vides for the creation and disbursement of a
fund to aid cooperative enterprises. Each
local assembly is required to collect and de
posit sum of not less than &c. per month
for every member in good standing. The
money is to be invested by the cooperative
board and the profits are to be divided
equally between the general assembly, co
operative fund and the workmen who
create the profit
The new constitution gives the General
Executive Board full power to settle all
strikes and disputes, whether sanctioned by
the board or not, and it increases the powers
of the general board in many other par
ticulars.
THE BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
Hereafter each district, State, national OF
unattached local assembly shall be entitled
to one delegate to each 5000 members OF
majority fraction thereof.
The term of office, over which there has
been so much controversy, has been fixed at
two years. Compensation hereafter will be
fixed by the General Assembly when an
officer is elected
The national trade assemblies clause is
probably the most important of the changes
1t provides that "any particular trade or
calling may form national trade assembly
by giving at least three months notice to
each local assembly-the entire member.
ship of which is composed of such trade
to attend convention for the purpose of
forming national trade assembly," AT
least two-thirds of the local assemblies
must vote in favor Of the trade
assembly, and not less than ten assemblies,
if there be that number in the order, may
receive a charter.
Section of the article is not very strong,
however as it will leave the matter in the
hands of the general executive board
which, If the law has been complied with,
may instruct the General Secretary to issue
a charter. The votes will be received until
July IS, and recorded, although the new
constitution will be in effect some time be
fore that, probably about July |.